Adjustable coupling-yoke for mowers.



No. 642,522.- Patented Jan. 30, I900.

E. E. HARTEB.

ADJUSTABLE COUPLING YOKE FOB MOWERS.

(Application fil d. Aug. 24, 1898.)

(N0 Nlodel.)

A TTOHNE Y8.

UNITED STATES PATE T CFFICE.

ELI E. HARTER, OF SAC CITY, IOWA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE WARDER, BUSHNELL & GLESSNER COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD,

OHIO, AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE COUPLlNG-YOKE FOR MOWERS.

s'rnoI'FioATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,522, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed August 24, 1898. Serial No. 689,371. (No model.)

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and economical coupling-yoke for mowers through the medium of which the wear at the hinge of the couplingbar may be expeditiously and conveniently taken up. The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of'parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally specifically pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the Various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of that portion of a mower to which the coupling-yoke is applied and illustrating 0 the application of a form of means embodying the principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is a broken view, in longitudinal section, through the yoke and which is adjustable. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. 5 Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4 4, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5-5, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow.

In the eflicient operation of mowing-mao chines it is desirable and important to maintain accurate alinement between the cutterbar and its operating-pitman. In use through the wear of joints and parts which support the inner end of the finger-bar and the back- 5 ward pressure exerted upon the finger-bar as the machine advances over the ground and encounters the grain to be cut or other obstruction a tendency is quickly developed in the finger-bar to sag backward, and it is evident that only a slight wear of joints at the inner end of the finger-bar will result in a magnified degree of backward sagging at the outer end of such bar. This backward sagging of the finger-bar is objectionable and undesirable, for the reason that thereby the path of reciprocation of the cutter-bar becomes deflected or changed out of accurate alinement with the pitman, through which reciprocations are imparted to the cutter-bar, and as a rapid reciprocation is imparted to the cutter-bar while the machine is in use such deflection of the path of reciprocation of the cutter from true and accurate alinement with the line of movement of the pitman, through which the cutter-bar is reciprocated and which is not affected by the rearward pressure upon the finger-bar or by wear in the parts which support the finger-bar, develops friction and rapid wear and looseness of the cutter-bar, thus not only causing the machine to run heavy, but rapidly wearing out the parts. Various expedients have been resorted to with a View to overcoming this difficulty; but so far as I am aware the difficulty has not heretofore been wholly overcome. For instance, it has been endeavored to overcome the objections noted by providing a construction wherein the coupling-arm has been shortened, thereby moving forward the yoke which supports the inner end of the fingerbar. This, however, does not correct the difficulty, for the reason that in such case the bend in the line of movement of the cutter-bar with reference to the line of reciprocation of the 0p erating-pitman, which latter remains fixed, is not thereby removed. In other words, in such case the yoke which supports the inner end of the fingerbar is advanced; but the fingerbar itself is thereby merely moved parallel to itself, and therefore the alinement between the pitman and the finger-bar is not restored.

Noting the defects in the prior efiorts to remove the difficulties mentioned and appreciating the practical importance of avoiding such difficulties I have conceived the idea of a construction wherein the yoke which carries the cutter-bar is mounted in eccentric relation with respect to the coupling-arm and wherein by adjusting the position of one of these parts the angle of the finger-bar, and hence the path of reciprocation of the cutter, is changed relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling-arm, thus removing any deflection from proper alinement between the cutterand its opeiatingpitman. This broad and generic idea may be carried out in many specifically diiterent ways. In the drawings I have shown one practical construction as an illustrative embodiment of the generic principles of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, reference-sign A designates the coupling-arm of the mowingmachine; B, the finger-bar; C, the ledgerplates; 0, the guards for the ledger-plates, and D the cutter-bar. These parts may be of the usual or any well-known construction or arrangement.

In carrying out the broad idea of mounting the yoke in eccentric relation with respect to the coupling-arm, whereby by adjusting the position of one of these parts the angle of the fingerbar, and hence the path of reciprocation of the cutter, is changed relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling-arm, I mount a sleeve 12 upon the end of the coupling-arm.

In the particular construction shown as an illustrative embodiment of the generic principles of the invention, but to which the invention is not limited or restricted, the sleeve 12 is exteriorly tapering and represents in general view the frustum of a cone and is provided with a diagonal bore 13, extending therethrough from end to end, through which bore the outer end 10 of the coupling-arm is passed. The bore 13 is eccentric at the inner end of the sleeve and concentric at its outer end. In order that the sleeve 12 may be rotarily adjusted upon its bearing on the end 10 of the coupling-arm, said sleeve may be provided with a polygonal section 14 at its inner end, whereby said sleeve may be axially adjusted by the application to such polygonal section of a wrench or a like tool. A set-screw, as 15, may be provided for securing such sleeve in adjusted position. The yoke 16 is mounted on the adjusting-sleeve 12. In the particular form shown the yoke is provided with a longitudinal bore or chamber 17, having a taper corresponding to the exterior taper of said sleeve. At its outer end the yoke is provided with an aperture 18, through which the end of the coupling-arm projects, a nut 20 being mounted on the outer end of the coupling-arm to hold the parts in position.

The cutter-bar may be supported upon the yoke 16 in any suitable, convenient, or wellknown manner. For instance and in the particular form shown, to which, however, the invention is not limited, the shoe 22 is hinged upon arms 21 24, formed on or carried by the yoke 16, said shoe being provided with a lug 23 to pivotally connect with the arm 24. Of course it will be understood that any other means may be employed for pivoting the fin ger-bar and parts carried thereby to the yoke.

From the foregoing description,wherein the yoke 16 is described as being mounted or journaled upon a sleeve the bore of which receives the end of the coupling-arm and is slightly angular or inclined relative to the geometric axis of said sleeve it will be seen that by rocking or rotarily adjusting the sleeve upon the end of the coupling-arm the yoke 16, and hence the finger-bar and cutter, is adjusted with respect to the axial line of the coupling-arm, and hence also with respect to the line of reciprocation of the cutter-actuating pitman. Therefore any disarrangement of the alinement of the pitman and the cutter-bar, due to the sagging of the fingerbar, may be corrected readily and easily by rotarily or axially adj Listing-sleeve 12. Thus the sleeve 12 takes up the wear at the hinges or joints and compensates for the backward sag or drag of the cutter-bar.

Many variations and changes and specifically diiferent constructions may be devised for carrying into practical operation the principles of my invention and still fall within its spirit and scope. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact construction shown and described. It is also evident that the principles of my invention may be applied to difterent types and constructions of mowing-machines.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof and having explained such construction, its function, and mode of operation, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a mowing-machine, a coupling-arm, a yoke mounted thereon, a cutter-bar supported by said yoke, a pitman for actuating said cutter-bar, and means for adjusting said yoke relativeto the axial line of said couplingarm, whereby alinement between the cutterbar and its actuating-pitman is maintained, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination with a coupling-arm of a mowingmachine, a tapering adjustingsleeve provided with a diagonal bore through which a portion of the coupling-arm is passed, and means for fasteningthe adjusting-sleeve to the coupling-arm, of ayoke havingachamber shaped to receive a portion of the exteriorof the adjustingsIeeVe, and means for connecting the finger-bar of the mower with said yoke, as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination with the coupling-arm of a mowing-machine, a tapering adjustingsleeve provided with a diagonal bore through which the coupling-arm is passed,- the said tapering adj usting-sleeve being provided at its inner end with a polygonal exterior surface, With fastening devices adapted to secure said sleeve to the coupling-arm, of a yoke provided with a chamber having a taper corresponding to that of the adj UStlHg-SIGGVG, the yoke being adapted to turn freely on the adj listing-sleeve, means for holding the yoke in position, and devices for attaching the finger-bar of the mower to the yoke, as described.

4. In a mowing-machine, a coupling-arm and a yoke, a cutter-bar supported upon said yoke, a pitman for actuating said cutter-bar, said yoke mounted upon said coupling-arm with its axis at an angle to the axisthereof",

and means for varying the relative position of one of these parts, whereby through the eccentric relation of said arm and said yoke the latter is adjusted and the drag of the cutter-bar is compensated, as and for the pur-' pose set forth.

ELl HARTER.

J. J HARTER,

' Witnessesi FRANK R. BROWNELL. 

